21 essentials: what to see and do in Valencia city in 2 or 3 days

It had been too long since I had visited the Valencia city.

Being very young, in my first trip to Valencia I met those who remain great friends, and from then on I traveled many times to the Levantine capital.

It was at that time when I discovered the best corners of its historic center, of which I only had vague images, specifically, of a trip coinciding with the festival of the Fallas.

A thunderous mascletá in the Town Hall Square; the offering of flowers in the Virgin Square; and the popular Carmen neighborhood in a surprising semi-ruinous state at the time.

I have returned to travel to Valencia in recent times, and I have found a bright, well-kept city, and that is when I have truly discovered the great monumental attractions and the great atmosphere of its historic center.

It is the consequence of going with the eyes wide open of a typical tourist :)

Nowadays Valencia has become a destination widely visited by tourists, many of whom arrive aboard large cruise ships.

During a guided tour of Valencia, I asked our guide if tourists who go to the city are aware of what they are going to find in its historic center, and the answer was no.

What to see and do in Valencia for tourism

Most of those who They visit Valencia for the first time arrive to the Levantine capital attracted by the architectural majesty of the City of Arts and Sciences.

Controversies aside, along with the great event of the America's Cup of large sailboats, this architectural complex has placed the Levantine capital as one of the main tourist places in Spain, as at the time of Guggenheim museum did with the city of Bilbao.

Then, once in the city, visitors are surprised by the historical Center, possibly without knowing that Valencia is in the list of cities Heritage for the Unesco thanks to a gothic building as unique as the Lonja de la Seda or its Water Court.

If you have not yet visited the Valencia city, I will tell you that it is a large city, the third in population in Spain.

Tu tourism visit, in addition to the aforementioned City of Arts and Sciences, will focus on a walk through its historic center, a relatively small area, very easy to walk around.

There are concentrated monuments, museums and other corners reflecting the long history of the city.

And if you have time on your trip to the Levantine capital, you will also have the opportunity to visit interesting places outside the center of Valencia, such as the Malvarrosa beach or Albufera Natural Park.

What to see in the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia

This great architectural complex of the City of Arts and Sciences It was a project from the 80s that had the double objective of creating a science museum and positioning Valencia as a tourist city.

Although the architect's initial project Calatrava It was not completed, in the end the buildings that make up the current complex were built in several phases, which is an essential visit when visiting Valencia.

The buildings to visit are the Museum of Science, a space with various interactive science and technology exhibitions, and the Oceanographic, regarded as the largest aquarium in Europe with more than 500 different species.

Besides you also have the Hemisphere, a 3D digital cinema, and the Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts, with a program of concerts, operas and ballet and zarzuela shows.

What to see and do in the historic center of Valencia

When during your visit you arrive at historical Center and see map of the city of Valencia, it is very easy to recognize which site was initially Muslim, and then Christian during the Middle Ages.

This is what is known as the Old City, formed by a network of narrow streets, and where it is easy to see what was once a wall delimited.

Torres de los Serranos and Quart

Of the twelve entrance doors that existed in the Middle Ages you can still see the Towers of the Serranos, where you can go up and have panoramic views of the city, and the Quart Towers.

Of course, it was a city that, as usual in the Mediterranean coastDuring its long history it was located at a certain distance from the sea, although this has completely changed today.

And as an example, the celebration of the aforementioned America's Cup.

Almoina Square in Valencia

You have the first vestiges of this long history in the Almoina Square, behind the center Virgin Square and cathedral.

There you can see an area where they are shown archaeological remains from Roman times.

Old wall of Valencia in El Tossal Gallery

And in the so-called El Tossal Gallery, For the Quart Street, you can see a section of the 13th century Islamic wall.

La Old City From Valencia To the north it borders the old riverbed turia river, which was diverted to a new and broader channel after the great flood which occurred in October 1957.

Turia garden in Valencia

Currently, in this old riverbed you will find a longitudinal garden of six kilometers, the Turia Garden, which extends to the facilities of the aforementioned City of Arts and Sciences, and which is ideal for traveling by bicycle.

It should be said that the main axis of the Old City From Valencia It is made up of three seats.

North Station, modernist building in Valencia

If you arrive in the city by train eTA, like I did, first you can go through the very nice modernist building of the North Station located next to the bullring.

I can tell you that it is worth stopping to visit it.

Valencia Town Hall Square

You will immediately arrive at the Town Hall Square, the political and administrative center of the city.

What you see now as a large square was actually a space that opened in the 20s, after the fire of the old Gothic town hall, and after the need to build a new building.

In the square, the largest in the historic center, in addition to the majestic building of the Valencia City Hall, you will see modern buildings with emblems of insurance companies.

These companies were the ones that financed this urban remodeling, but above all, the classic style building of the Post and Telegraph Palace.

Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas in Valencia

Very close, in the network of streets behind this eastern side of the square, it is worth looking for the Palace of the Marquis de Dos Aguas, One architectural jewels what do you find in the historic center of Valencia.

It is a building that now shows a striking rococo facade, and whose most distinctive element is the sumptuous main cover.

Inside you have the Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts.

Silk Exchange in Valencia

On the way to the central heart of the Old City is where you find the aforementioned Lonja de la Seda, or what is the same, the precious gothic building of what was a market at the end of the 15th century.

Un essential on your visit to Valencia.

Central Market of Valencia

And opposite, next to the prominent Church of the Santos Juanes, another gem, the Central Market of Valencia.

It must be another essential visit for its beautiful modernist building which combines the large iron structure with ceramics and stained glass, and the great atmosphere of traditional market, also being the largest center in Europe for fresh products.

Horchatería El Siglo in Plaza de la Reina in Valencia

You will soon reach the Queen's Square, ideal place for a stop taste the typical horchata with fartones in one of the most traditional establishments in the city, the Horchatería El Siglo, founded in 1836.

Sitting on your terrace you will surely be struck by the bell tower of the church of Santa Catalina, a sample of Valencian baroque.

Cathedral of Valencia

In this Queen's Square you can see the main façade of the Valencia Cathedral, building with a surprising mix of architectural styles.

Surrounding it you can see a Romanesque doorway, and on the side of the Virgin Square, gothic door which every Thursday at 12 noon, for hundreds of years, has welcomed the judges of the Water Court.

Inside the cathedral you should pay attention above all to the spectacular renaissance frescoes that have been brought to light after a reform that began in 2004, and in the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, with the only Holy Grail recognized recognized by the Church since 1399.

Plaza de la Virgen de Valencia

And now you arrive at the aforementioned Virgin Square, maybe the real one heart of the historic center of Valencia?

There are reasons for this by concentrating monuments such as the cathedral y gothic door of the apostles (and don't forget the Water Court…), the Gothic building of the Palace of the Generalitat and Basilica of the Virgin of the Helpless.

In any case, this square, with its Turia Fountain, forms one of the iconic images of the city.

Columbus Market in Valencia

If you want to see another highlight Valencian modernist building, come to the central bourgeois and commercial neighborhood of Eixample.

In this neighborhood you find the Colon Market, where traditional stalls have been replaced by shops good gourmet food and by cafes with pleasant terraces.

And as for the museums of Valencia? Right on the limits of the historic center you have two essentials and another highly recommended.

Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia

First, the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia, which you find on the north shore of the Turia Garden, in front of Serrano Towers.

This is what is considered the second art gallery in Spain, and where you will see, above all, works by Sorolla and Valencian primitives.

But you also have works of Goya y Velázquez, of Dutch, Flemish or Italian painting, and, of course, Spanish from different periods.

Fallas Museum of Valencia

If, on the other hand, you want to delve deeper into Valencian traditions, what better than visit the Fallero Museum.

In this interesting and very curious walk through popular culture, you will be able to see ninots pardoned, and advertising posters of each edition, historical insignia of the failing commissions from Valencia, or portraits of the falleras that have been representing the last Fallas.

IVAM, contemporary art in Valencia

If you like contemporary art, you have an appointment with him IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art), which has gained prestige for its temporary exhibitions.

The Adventure of Thought at MUVIM in Valencia

And a recommendation, if you have the opportunity (you have to plan ahead of your trip), don't miss the multimedia presentation The Adventure of Thought,

You can see it in the MUVIM (Valencian Museum of Illustration and Modernity) that you find very close to the North Station, and it is a very entertaining and educational walk through the history of thought in 15 rooms, lasting one hour and 20 minutes.

Y what else to see in Valencia, already outside the historic center? I'm going to make some recommendations, apart from the aforementioned City of Arts.

How to visit the Albufera of Valencia

If you are looking for nature, it is of course worth an excursion to the nearby Albufera of Valencia, parque natural located just 10 kilometers south of the city.

With a traditional barge ride, you can visit one of the also traditional Valencian barracks, the best example of rural life in that area of ​​Spain.

BIOPARC of Valencia

Continuing with nature, if you like animals, you should not stop visit BIOPARC.

In this animal conservation center where they protect endangered species, such as Baringo Giraffe, And a ideal visit to do with children.

Tips for visiting Valencia

To finish this review of the main tourist attractions of Valencia, some practical tips.

CHow to get around by transport in Valencia

If you arrive by plane to Valencia, the most comfortable option to get to your hotel is a private transfer.

To just take a walk through the center you don't need it, but if you are going to make an extensive visit to the city, you may want to buy the tourist card Valencia Tourist Card, which will give you access to buses and trams, as well as museums and monuments.

You also have the option to make a city ​​tour in the Valencia tourist bus, on a route through the center or on a route through the maritime area.

Charming hotels where you can sleep in Valencia

Regarding accommodations, in the historic center you have two hotels with charm where we have stayed on our most recent trips.

On one hand, the Adhoc Monumental, the first to transfer the concept of a rural house to the center of the Valencian city, and expensive hotel, a five-star hotel in a palace with a very special atmosphere.

If you prefer to stay next to the City of Arts and Sciences, a very good option is the Barceló Valencia hotel.

Restaurants to eat in Valencia

And finally, with regard to the gastronomy, if you are looking to take a excellent paella, you have it in Carmela House in the Malvarrosa beach, or Mateu restaurant en El Palmar, in the Albufera.

If you are looking for an elaborate cuisine but at more affordable prices, what better than Canalla Bistro from the prestigious Michelin star chef Ricard Camarena.

And if you want the option of gastrotapas in an elegant restaurant, in Canvas.

Enjoy your visit to Valencia.